Mobile Nuclear Generator Circa 1962

Mobile low power reactor number 1 was a closed cycle gas turbine using nitrogen as reactor coolant and gas turbine working fluid. It produced its first electricity in September 1962. Designed to produce between 300 and 500 kilowatts, it was transportable by air, rail, ship or truck.

The first of a kind prototype worked and operated for several hundred hours. It did not perform as well as expected and was only able to generate about 180 kilowatts. The lower than expected efficiency was determined to be caused by a poor job of matching the compressor with the turbine.

At the time, gas turbine power plants were in the early stages of development with few, if any, in commercial service. There were few experienced designers and none who had tried using a compressor and turbine combination with a nuclear heat source.

There was never a follow up. Army budgets were reprioritized to support operations in Vietnam. The Army did not have a strong advocate for nuclear energy research and development with the political skills of a Rickover. Though a burden, the logistical challenge of moving petroleum was well understood with what were judged to be adequate solutions.

Видео Mobile Nuclear Generator Circa 1962 канала Rod Adams